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The new RAP plan has gotten plenty of criticism, but it might not be all bad news for every borrower. Learn where RAP could help, where it could hurt, and why the right strategy depends so much on your income, forgiveness goals, and long-term financial picture.
Key moments:
(03:10) Who the RAP plan might actually help
(06:37) RAP affects forgiveness timelines and PSLF strategy
(08:20) Forecasting future income before choosing RAP
(10:51) Married filing separately and lowering AGI under RAP
(22:03) Extra payments and last-minute plan switching may backfire
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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We just got back from the NASFAA conference in Washington, D.C., and there's a lot to unpack. From the launch of the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and what it means for forgiveness strategies, to new federal loan limits and whether private loans can fill the funding gap for future grad and professional students, we're breaking down what these shifts mean for current borrowers, schools, and anyone about to finance an advanced degree.
Key moments:
(03:59) Evaluating student loan options
(09:08) Financial aid challenges for “stopped out,” current and repeat students
(15:38) Concerns about student loan forgiveness
(20:21) Tuition discount rates in education
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Scroll through any financial feed, and you'll eventually hit the same pitch: AUM (assets under management) fees are a ripoff, and only foolish high earners pay them. We think that framing bends the math to sell you something, so we’re breaking down why AUM fees have become the villain in personal finance marketing and giving you a real test for judging whether any advisor is worth the cost.
Key moments:
(03:56) Fees should be judged against service value
(14:43) Separating bad service from bad fee models
(17:23) Flat-fee comparisons can exaggerate AUM costs
(28:02) Busyness and inertia create financial planning mistakes
Resources mentioned:
Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha studyLike the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
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You've heard of HENRYs, high earners who are not rich yet. But what if you're a high earner with six figures in student loan debt on top of it? That's a SHENRY, and the path to wealth looks different when a 401(k), a 457, an HSA, and a $300,000 loan balance are all competing for the same paycheck.
We walk through the five moves SHENRYs can make to accelerate wealth growth, from maximizing tax-advantaged accounts to using income-driven repayment as a cash flow tool to getting more out of the degree you already paid for.
Key moments:
(07:24) Wealth move 1: Max out tax-advantaged accounts
(08:03) Wealth move 2: Weaponize income-driven repayment
(09:09) Wealth move 3: Open a brokerage account early
(11:12) Wealth move 4: Use professional loan programs to optimize housing moves
(14:25) Wealth move 5: Two ways to maximize the value of your degree
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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A brand new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan is coming, and the rules are stricter than anything borrowers have dealt with before. We break down what we know about the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP): who qualifies, how payments are calculated, and the deadlines you may need to beat before older plans like Pay As You Earn (PAYE) close their doors.
If you have federal loans and want to make the right move during this transition window, this is where to start.
Key moments:
(03:57) Checking your loan types and RAP eligibility
(06:38) How RAP payments are calculated
(10:44) Unpaid interest subsidy and other RAP features
(18:26) RAP’s 30-year forgiveness and how it impacts PSLF
Resource mentioned:
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) CalculatorLike the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
Free Student Loan newsletter
If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter
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Since the One Big Beautiful Bill, the final student loan regulations have started landing, and we're seeing the real-world fallout in consultations every single day. We bring you what that looks like from the front lines: the latest ATF update on IDR backlogs, PSLF buyback wait times, and forgiveness eligibility checks, plus a few other things worth watching.
We also cover the consolidation trap new grads need to avoid, Parent PLUS loans showing up on files where they don't belong, and what the July 1 deadline really means if you're still stuck on SAVE.
Key moments:
(01:52) Why the ATF lawsuit updates matter for IDR and PSLF backlogs
(04:06) How forgiveness timing could trigger bigger tax bills in 2027
(08:36) 88,000 pending PSLF buyback applicants, duplicate applications, and delays
(12:14) Parent PLUS loan confusion: When your file shows loans you never took out
(20:10) Why new grads should think hard before consolidating, and how it can lock you into a 30-year plan
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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Grad PLUS loans are going away, and the phase-out is going to create one of the strangest stretches in the history of student loan financing. If you're enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program, about to start one, or know someone who is, the new borrowing limits taking effect July 1, 2026, will reshape how you pay for school and how you'll repay later.
Learn about the new borrowing caps, the orphaned group of borrowers caught in between, why taking a leave of absence could cost you everything, and what the coming wave of private lending chaos means for your wallet.
Key moments:
(01:44) Why taking a leave of absence could lock some students out of crucial loans
(06:19) When high-cost programs only stay open to the wealthy
(07:39) Why private loans won't fill every funding gap
(14:23) How shrinking loan money could reshape (or close) schools
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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The new federal student loan regulations are about to throw a wrench into grad and professional borrowers’ repayment options, and we’re tackling some of the most pressing questions borrowers are calling in with. We break down why one loan disbursed after July 2026 can flip somebody from a clear forgiveness path to being stuck in a repayment plan that costs you double (or more). You’ll also learn strategies for handling PSLF account issues, navigating income certification if your income drops, and the mental health toll all these changes might take.
Key moments:
(01:23) Why a single loan disbursed after July can potentially double your total repayment
(08:54) Using pay stubs vs. tax returns to certify IDR plan income
(15:26) Mental health, financial hopelessness, and why no student loan situation is truly unrecoverable
(24:21) Calculating physician debt-to-income ratio for PSLF as a resident vs. attending
(28:53) Why federal loan caps will trigger chaos in grad school funding and may force program closures or major tuition shifts
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
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Everyone's wondering whether AI is coming for their job (or wallet), so it's fair to ask how close AI tools are to replacing a real human student loan advisor or even your future career. We get into why some professions may weather the AI storm better than others, what the superstar effect means for your career (and your loans), and how upcoming policy changes like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shake up borrowing limits, the decision between federal versus private loans, and long-term strategy.
We also share where human advice will always matter, and what all this means for you if you're managing loans, borrowing for school, or about to choose a degree.
Key moments:
(03:43) Comparing new AI models for real-life financial analysis
(05:20) The “superstar effect” and how AI will widen the gap between top and average earners
(09:54) Why real human expertise still matters most for high-stakes student loan decisions
(12:45) Upcoming federal loan limits, Parent PLUS problems, and the likely chaos from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Free Student Loan newsletter
If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
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What happens when forgiven student debt becomes taxable income again? That’s the “tax bomb” we’re breaking down this week — why it’s coming back, who could get caught by surprise and what you can actually do about it (even if Congress keeps punting the ball down the road). We’ll get into 20- and 25-year forgiveness for private-sector folks, insolvency exclusions and why the whole mess falls hardest on servicers and borrowers.
We also talk about the real-world impact of recent rule changes, state-level quirks and my predictions for what might (and might not) change after 2026.
Key moments:
(00:42) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) stays tax-free
(02:59) Who needs to worry about the tax bomb
(13:12) Using insolvency exclusions to lower (or wipe out) your student loan tax bill
(16:15) Why we expect Congress to make student loan forgiveness permanently tax-free in the future
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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A candid look at what our student loan experts are seeing in real-time consultations. The throughline: borrowers need to pull their heads out of the sand because too many are sitting on consolidation deadlines, surprise recertifications, and PSLF misconceptions that could cost them years of credit. The conversation moves from urgent Parent PLUS deadlines to PSLF edge cases, then to disability planning and ABLE accounts — every topic drawn from patterns the team is seeing across recent consults.
Key moments:
(03:47) Parent PLUS borrowers must consolidate before July 1 to preserve IDR access
(08:09) Servicers are pulling tax data months early — revoke IRS consent to control your recertification
(22:29) Big Beautiful Bill removes IBR's hardship test, reopening PSLF for high earners
(36:13) Disability creates two tracks: IDR recalculation for income drops, or Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
(42:07) ABLE accounts let families save for disability expenses with tax-free growth, and 529 funds can roll in
Resources mentioned:
StudentAid.gov - official Federal Student Aid site for IDR, consolidation, PSLF, disability discharge, and moreLike the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
Free Student Loan newsletter
If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter
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Graduate and professional school just got a lot trickier to finance. With the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act slashing federal loan limits in 2026, figuring out how much you should borrow and whether private loans make sense is a whole different ballgame.
We examine old vs. new borrowing math, which degrees might justify taking out private loans, where the ROI completely falls apart, and how the profession you choose could make or break your financial future.
Key moments:
(01:13) Why borrowing used to function like a 10% “income tax”
(04:50) Who benefits from the old system vs. new 2026 rules
(06:40) Careers where high borrowing still makes financial sense
(10:08) Professions where private loans require careful planning
(22:02) Fields where private loans can seriously hurt your finances
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
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We're bringing you a grab-bag of student loan updates you need to know about. Borrower defense letters are finally going out, long-term forgiveness is being processed (sometimes for borrowers who technically shouldn't qualify yet), and the Department of Education is quietly breaking its own IDR recertification timelines. We walk through what's actually happening, what to do if you're affected, and how to stay in control of your payment when the system isn't cooperating.
Key moments:
(03:16) PSLF buyback and why SAVE calculations are off the table
(06:02) Long-term forgiveness is processing, including some surprising cases three years early
(13:14) How to revoke tax return consent and take back control of your recertification date
(16:52) What to expect when your payment changes after leaving SAVE
(20:29) When your loans are incorrectly coded as Parent PLUS and the workaround to get the right payment plan
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Free Student Loan newsletter
If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
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The SAVE plan lawsuit settlement just kicked off a seismic shift in federal student loan repayment, and it's not just about picking a new plan. Find out exactly how the forbearance clock is running out for millions, what you need to know about the new RAP repayment plan, and why 2024 and 2025 tax returns are going to hit especially hard for anyone recertifying with higher income.
We also look at strategies to avoid payment shock, the latest on Parent PLUS consolidation, and ripple effects for people banking on loan forgiveness or stuck in limbo with borrower defense claims.
Chaos is coming, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
Key moments:
(01:56) Why some borrowers have 90 days to switch to a new repayment plan
(06:21) How recertifying with 2024 or 2025 tax info could shock your monthly payments
(08:24) When refinancing might make sense again (and why more borrowers are considering it)
(12:04) Urgent deadlines and steps for Parent PLUS loan borrowers
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Tips I Can't Share Publicly
Getting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.
Want more? Check out our other podcast
Starting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.
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The next recession isn't a question of "if," it's a question of "when." Whether you're holding federal loans, private refinanced debt, or a mix of both, your strategy needs to account for what happens when the economy turns. We break down how credit markets actually affect your ability to refinance, why your required payment matters more than your interest rate, and the moves you can make right now to protect yourself before it's too late.
Key moments:
(01:40) Why slowing down payments in a recession can be a smart move
(03:27) The problem with private student loans when the economy turns
(05:36) How borrowing conditions in the broader economy set your refinancing rates
(08:15) What happened to the refinancing market during COVID and 2008
(11:14) Restructuring your loans now to prepare for a downturn
Resources mentioned:
Studentaid.gov/idr for recalculating income-driven repaymentOne Big Beautiful Bill Act changes to federal student aid programsLike the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
Mentioned in this episode:
Free Student Loan newsletter
If you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletter
The SLP YouTube Channel
If you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner
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Figuring out how to pay for grad school is about to get a lot trickier—and the fate of student loan forgiveness hangs in the balance. We break down what the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act means for new grads, why programs like PSLF and SAVE are under the microscope, and how upcoming changes will shift federal loan limits and forgiveness options. We tackle real listener questions on recertifying your income during a dental residency, PSLF processing times, loan capitalization, and married filing strategies.
Key moments:
(02:29) The new rules after July 2026: federal loan limits and the RAP plan for grad/professional students
(03:32) Whether you can avoid in-school deferment to earn IDR credit during residency
(06:14) How recertifying income before forgiveness can impact your spouse's payment under IDR
(07:41) Why PSLF buyback is moving at a glacial pace, but traditional PSLF is still processing
(13:12) Who will still benefit from forgiveness after the OBBB Act
Resource mentioned: studentloanplanner.com/voicemail – submit questions to the show
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
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If you've been coasting since COVID without recertifying your income-driven repayment plan, that grace period is officially over. We break down what recertification actually looks like right now and talk about recalculation, payment caps, the kinds of forbearances that help (or hurt) your progress toward forgiveness, and a weird glitch flagging people as Parent PLUS borrowers when they're not. You'll learn where to find your recert date, what to do when your loan servicer fumbles your file, and how to avoid common mistakes in a system that seems designed to trip you up, all while staying on track for PSLF or long-term forgiveness.
Key moments:
(04:02) Servicers pulling income 4 months before recertification dates — and sometimes applying new payments early
(06:49) How to choose whether to recalculate, switch plans, or manually recertify in the IDR recertification portal
(14:59) 626,000 pending IDR applications, and what to do if yours has been sitting for months
(21:01) Payment caps and why denial letters aren't always bad
(24:19) The Parent PLUS glitch making recertification impossible for some, and how to fix it
Resources mentioned:
StudentAid.gov for up-to-date recertification information and account access
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
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The One Big Beautiful Bill didn't kill PSLF outright, but once you run the numbers on the new borrowing limits and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), the financial incentive for Public Service Loan Forgiveness essentially evaporates for future borrowers. I walk through exactly how this plays out for physicians, PAs, NPs, teachers, lawyers, and other professions — and why existing borrowers are grandfathered in but should still pay attention.
I also break down what the new math means for private universities, which degrees still pencil out financially, and a critical deadline for Parent PLUS borrowers that could affect your ability to retire.
Key moments:
(03:57) How the new $50K/year loan cap makes PSLF nearly worthless for physicians entering med school this fall
(07:51) Second-year students are grandfathered in and can borrow Grad PLUS to finish their program
(09:18) How lower borrowing limits gut PSLF for NPs, PAs, teachers, and lawyers
(16:09) The Parent PLUS consolidation deadline before July 2026, and why waiting too long could make income-based repayment permanently inaccessible
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
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Timing your tax filing can mean serious savings on your monthly payments, especially if you're on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and aiming for forgiveness. We break down scenarios for when it makes sense to file right away, when to wait, and how married couples or borrowers with irregular income can play their cards for the biggest advantage.
If you've ever wondered how your AGI or recertification date could influence your student loan bills, this episode gives you straightforward strategies you can use right now.
Key moments:
(07:48) Why when you file your tax return directly affects your IDR payment amount
(10:59) Filing a tax extension is free, but if you owe taxes, you must pay by April 15
(18:13) When filing early (or on time) makes more sense than filing an extension
(21:39) SAVE borrowers can lock in the ideal recertification date by switching plans between April 15 and October 15
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
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Things are not "calm and predictable" in student loan land right now. Hear real stories from recent consultations and learn what actions matter most before the June 30th, 2026, consolidation deadline.
We dig into what's happening with PSLF case reviews, consolidation risks, tax season strategies, and what Parent PLUS borrowers need to know now that double consolidation is gone. Even if you feel lost or overwhelmed, you'll finish this episode with a checklist of things to act on now to protect your strategy before small mistakes turn into expensive ones.
Key moments:
(02:22) Why PSLF payment histories are missing and how to file a complaint with StudentAid.gov
(08:49) Consolidate after June 30, 2026, and you could add 10 years to forgiveness
(18:37) Smart strategies for tax returns and loan recertification
(26:42) Double consolidation is over for Parent PLUS borrowers — here's what to do now
Resources mentioned:
File a StudentAid.gov complaint File a CFPB complaint
Like the show? There are several ways you can help!
Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community
Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?
Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning
Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at [email protected] and we might feature it in an upcoming show!
- Visa fler
